HUD AWARDS $2.4 MILLION HOPE VI GRANT TO SHREVEPORT TO DEMOLISH DISTRESSED PUBLIC HOUSING AT NAOMI JACKSON HEIGHTS
Demolition makes way for community revitalization

FORT WORTH - The U.S. Department of Housing Urban Development today awarded a $2,463,650 HOPE VI
Demolition Grant to the Shreveport Housing Authority that will be used to demolish 269 units of aged public housing
at the Naomi Jackson Heights development.

"I was part of the Congressionally-appointed commission that created the HOPE VI program a little more than 10
years ago," said HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson. "I'm pleased that Shreveport is one of the 45 cities that will get funding this year to demolish these old properties to make way for community revitalization."

The Shreveport Housing Authority was one of 57 applicants for 2003 HOPE VI Demolition funding. A total of $45,810,291 in grants was awarded nationally to 45 housing authorities, and will fund the demolition of 5,954 older public housing units.

Since 1996, when the program began, and including the grants awarded today, HUD has provided a total of $381 million in HOPE VI Demolition Grants to 122 housing authorities in 32 States, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands to demolish nearly 56,000 severely distressed public housing units.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as
well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.

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